Stones wants Chelsea move as Mourinho prepares improved £28m bid

The 21-year-old England defender is keen to link up with the Portuguese manager at Stamford Bridge, with the Toffees having already turned down a £20 million offer

John Stones wants to leave Everton to join Chelsea as Jose Mourinho’s side prepare an improved £28 million (€40m) bid, Goal understands.

The west Londoners were knocked back after making an initial £20m (€28m) approach for the England defender, with the Toffees determined to keep hold of one of their key players.

However, Goal understands that Mourinho is determined to get his man and that he Premier League champions will return to the negotiating table as they look to bolster their defensive options for the new campaign.

Stones, who can also operate at right-back, is seen as one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League and would complement a back line that includes the likes of John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and Kurt Zouma.

Chelsea captain Terry, 34, is entering what could be his final year at Stamford Bridge, while Ivanovic and Cahill are also approaching the latter stages of their careers.

Stones, who turned 21 in May, has already picked up four England caps and was part of Roy Hodgson’s standby list for last summer’s World Cup.

The versatile defender, who has made over 50 appearances for Everton, wants to join the Premier League champions and Everton are already stepping up their search for a potential replacement.

Manchester United centre-back Jonny Evans is set to move to Goodison Park, subject to the Toffees agreeing a fee with Louis van Gaal’s side, while the Merseysiders also retain an interest in Nemanja Vidic.

Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson is another potential target for the Blues, while Goal understands that Arsenal have flatly declined an enquiry over the availability of Calum Chambers.